Apple Likely Planning to Use Bigger, Lower Resolution Displays for Cheaper Vision Headset

Apple is exploring new suppliers for OLED-on-Silicon panels, likely signaling the development of a more affordable headset destined to sit alongside the Vision Pro, The Elec reports.

apple vision pro lenses
The Korean website has apparently detected a shift in Apple's supply chain management for OLED-on-Silicon (OLEDoS) panels, a key component in the Vision Pro headset. Currently, Sony provides these high-resolution microdisplays, but its limited production capacity of up to 900,000 panels per year and lack of expansion plans have prompted Apple to seek alternatives for the future. Apple has apparently issued a request for information (RFI) to Samsung Display and LG Display to evaluate their capabilities in producing larger OLEDoS panels, ranging from 2.0 to 2.1 inches in size with a display density of around 1,700 pixels per inch (PPI).

These displays would be larger than those currently used in the Vision Pro and feature a lower resolution. The Vision Pro uses Sony's OLEDoS panels featuring a 1.42-inch screen with a pixel density of nearly 3,400 PPI, employing a white OLED display with color filter (wOLED+CF) technology. This sophisticated display technology is one of the main reasons for the headset's high price point.

At Displayweek 2024, both Samsung and LG showcased advancements in OLED microdisplay technology that could appeal to Apple. Samsung presented a 1.03-inch RGB (direct-emission) OLED microdisplay, developed in collaboration with eMagin, which promises higher brightness levels compared to the wOLED+CF method. Meanwhile, LG revealed a 10,000 nits 1.3-inch 4K OLED microdisplay, utilizing a micro lens array (MLA) to boost brightness by around 40 percent.

Apple's interest in larger OLEDoS panels with lower resolution than those used in the Vision Pro suggests these could be intended for a new, lower-cost mixed reality headset. Apple has been rumored to be working on such a device for over a year, and the latest indications suggest that it may be designed to tether to an iPhone or Mac to eliminate the need for a costly processor. The lower-cost Apple Vision headset could launch as soon as the end of next year.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Tags: OLED, The Elec
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

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Top Rated Comments

breenmask Avatar
9 months ago
oh really, I thought they were going to use smaller, higher res, more expensive displays for a cheaper device
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EntropyQ3 Avatar
9 months ago
Problem is, lower price for a worse product doesn’t necessarily make it a commercial success.

One of the distinct advantages of AVP is its resolution, and what that enables.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AndyUnderscoreR Avatar
9 months ago
"but its limited production capacity of up to 900,000 panels per year"

I think someone is being wildly overoptimistic about sales figures.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cardfan Avatar
9 months ago
It’s not the cost that’s stopping me, it’s the fact I hate VR as much as that ridiculous face mask.
Yep. I’m still not working with a headset pressed tightly against face for hours. That’s not happening.

And once again the movies look great. But you’ll quickly lose interest doing that. Not worth the discomfort. Hard to drink or eat. Or share. And you look like you’ve been in a wreck afterwards.

Get a large screen oled and hang on wall. Much better.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Coolman717 Avatar
9 months ago
Why would someone want to strap a 3D TV + computer onto their face, high or low resolution?
Ohh wait, most people don’t want to do that. What a surprise.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
9 months ago
As long as it has more pixels than Quest Pro, I won't complain. But the price really needs to be at least 33% what the pro is.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)